Rams coach Fisher fires back at Kosar

The Sports Xchange

The SportsXchangeAugust 11, 2013

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher said Saturday he's lost a lot of respect for former NFL quarterback Bernie Kosar after the Cleveland Browns color commentator harshly criticized the Rams during their preseason opener on Thursday night. Kosar's directed most of his venom toward backup quarterback Kellen Clemens and the Rams' receivers. Multiple reports said Fisher fired back after Saturday's practice. "I'm just surprised that Bernie has such a lack of respect for players and this game. To be honest with you, I lost a lot of respect for him. It's highly unlikely he knew anything about our football team, but felt the need to make those comments. I don't think they were justified." After Browns play-by-play man Jim Donovan relayed a story about the Clemens giving an autograph to Pope Benedict XVI, Kosar responded by saying he didn't think he'd ever want it. "Bless me father for I have sinned," Kosar said. "I have to watch him (Clemens) the whole fourth quarter." After Nick Johnson dropped a pass: "This is actually not a bad throw. These St. Louis receivers are horrible. That's a drop there." Donovan asked Kosar what he'd think if he knew some of the parents of Rams receivers were watching; Kosar said he "would be embarrassed." And Kosar on receivers coach Ray Sherman: "I'm checking through the itinerary here of guys and coaches to see who the receivers coach is to make sure I don't know who this guy is because he's not doing very good either." Fisher was positive about Clemens, who completed 6 of 13 passes for 116 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions in the Rams' 27-19 loss. "Kellen played well, he played hard, he made plays," Fisher said. Fisher said despite the issue, he had nothing against Kosar's employer. "First off, let me say this: The Cleveland Browns' organization is a first-class organization from top to bottom and it has been that for years and years and years," Fisher said. "I guess I'm a little disappointed. I feel bad for them that they had someone doing their broadcast feel the need to speak that way about players, specifically on our team and coaches for that matter.